Dogs Trust – The largest dog welfare organization in the UK researches the interaction between dogs and cats and shows that the animals will get along better if they are allowed to interact from the start.
Dogs Trust research found factors such as the speed of introduction and the age of the puppy can influence their behavior towards domestic cats.
Research shows that about 20.1% of pet owners introduce new puppies to existing cats immediately, and 18.9% attack in less than 2 hours. However, gradual introductions between puppy and cat greatly increase the likelihood that they will get along well together.
According to the findings, puppies introduced to cats for more than a day – especially those under 12 weeks old – are calmer and friendlier, which can help form a more harmonious relationship .
The veterinarian said most dogs exhibit “unwanted” behavior when first introduced to cats, including being aggressive or playing with the cat when it doesn’t want to play. Less than 10% of puppies introduced to cats appear calm and relaxed.
“Take this slowly and choose a location where your cat doesn’t feel intimidated by the dog,” says Dr. Rachel Casey, director of strategy and transformation at Dogs Trust, a veterinarian and animal behavior expert. I’m threatening”.
The study was conducted as part of the Generation Pup project, with more than 9,500 puppies enrolled, including 4,500 puppies with dog-cat interactions.
The findings will be presented at the annual science festival New Scientist Live 2024, held in London this weekend.